The late 19th century through the early 20th century was a time marked by expansion. But it did not begin at that time. Expansion on the American continent occurred many years before and the late 19th/early 20th century is only a continuation of previous expansionism. There were similar motives; however, altered to deal with specific situations dealing with foreign nations. Obtaining land was done similarly, depending on what obstacles were to be dealt with. Despite the United States desire for expansion, there were limits with the western frontier and so contained their continued spread for a time. But once a way to go past these limits was found, they were able to continue from where they left off.
             The main motive for expansion in the 19th century was the idea of Manifest Destiny. The American's were supposedly destined by God to expand from ocean to ocean. But soon after this idea was set in place of American citizen's minds, President James Polk announced to Congress that the Monroe Doctrine should be enforced allowing the US to forcefully expand westward. The Monroe Doctrine and its Roosevelt Corollary was a continuation of the idea of Manifest Destiny, altered to allow the US to deal with foreign powers standing in their way.
             However, from the Monroe Doctrine, also came additions to the policy to go for a more forceful approach towards expansion. Roosevelt's Big Stick Policy called for amore powerful way to confronting foreign nations. This policy lead to wars dealing with lands in the Western Hemisphere, including the Caribbean. Spanish misrule in Cuba led the US to intervene and push Spanish influence out of the West in the Spanish-American War, which was backed by the Monroe Doctrine. Roosevelt stated that "in the Western Hemisphere...the Monroe Doctrine may force the United States...to the exercise of an international police power." (Doc F) This forceful approach had also been disp...